Pieter van den Hoogenband (person)

Anyone in Holland with the status of famous sportsman should - by the rules of the glass house of Dutch society - stay as normal as possible. Even the world famous. Changing, being different than before, will cause severe criticism. SwimmerPieter van den Hoogenband has nothing to worry about this. The Olympic hero of Sydney 2000 is still the same boy he used to be. Relaxed, friendly, helpfull.

The man with the unpronounceable name (except for the Dutch speaking) is often called Pieter the Great, Dutch Dolphin, Hoogie or simply VDH. He was the first earthling to pass the 48 seconds boundary on the 100 meter freestyle and holds the world record at 47.84. Van den Hoogenband's most dangerous opponents are Australia's Ian Thorpe and Russia's Alexander Popov. The Dutchman also has the European record on 200 meter freestyle behind his name: 1:45.35. Both times were set in Sydney.

Quotes:

"It's a weird feeling to be Olympic champion and world record holder" (Pieter van den Hoogenband)

"I like anonimity. Then I can make jokes without feeling the eyes in my back of people who think I'm Superman. I am just a guy who can accidently move himself faster through water than others" (Pieter van den Hoogenband)

"Whenever I train, I think of the Olympics. When I am in pain during training, I think of the Olympics" (Pieter van den Hoogenband)